Campsicnemus popeye

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Campsicnemus popeye
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Dolichopodidae
Genus: Campsicnemus
Species:
C. popeye
Binomial name
Campsicnemus popeye
Evenhuis, 2013

Campsicnemus popeye is a species of

tibia (which are like the bulging forearms of Popeye).[1] The species is in fact among a group of six new species described as "Popeye flies". The specimen was collected in 2006 during an expedition to Tahiti.[2]

Discovery and etymology

Campsicnemus popeye was discovered as a part of Terrestrial Arthropods of French Polynesia Survey funded by the

binomial names, gave the specific name C. popeye because the swollen mid-tibia (middle legs) of the fly somewhat resemble the bulging forearms of the well-known cartoon hero Popeye the Sailor Man[3]

Description

Adult Campsicnemus popeye has a body length between 3 and 3.2 mm, and wing length of 3.1 to 3.6 mm. Its head is black in colour with dark-brown toward the front face. It has a pair of antennae and a pair of compound eyes, which are distinctively red. The antennal segments are a mixture of black and yellow patterns. The main body (

tergites) are largely brown, with yellow stripes on the sites of tergites II and IV. Each tergite has numerous short black hairs on the dorsal side, and few long hairs on the side. The main difference of a female from a male is absence of large spiny setae on the legs, and the swollen legs.[3]

Biology

Male Campsicnemus popeye use their enlarged tibiae for attracting females. It was humorously reported that the fly does not like spinach, in contrast to its namesake, and is in fact strictly carnivorous. However, much like Popeye trying to woo Olive Oyl, the male fly flexes its muscular legs during courtship rituals to impress the potential mate. They are found to congregate around bodies of water.[2]

References

  1. ^ "New Fly Species Named After Popeye". TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b Brad Balukjian (9 August 2013). "New Popeye fly species discovered in Tahiti". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  3. ^
    PMID 26312289
    . Retrieved 7 July 2015.

External links